Laurel BioComposite (Laurel, Nebraska / USA; www.laurelbiocomposite.com) has brought on stream at Laurel the first production line for its “Bio-Res” masterbatches made of up to 80% bio-material.

The new facility, with an annual capacity of 7m lbs (about 3,175 t), produces bio-pellets which, the company said, can be blended easily with polyethylene, polypropylene, polylactic acid and polyhydroxyalkanoates matrices and replace 20-40% of neat resin in a variety of manufacturing processes – see Plasteurope.com of 12.01.2012.

The new production line converts bioethanol feedstock into a powder for thermoset applications or masterbatch pellets for use in thermoplastics applications such as injection moulding. Construction of Phase II, which includes a second production line and bulk material handling, is in progress, the company said. On completion, annual capacity will increase to 48m lbs (nearly 22,000 t).

According to Laurel, the material is especially suited for single-use products as well as in shipping, lawn & garden, agriculture and automotive applications.